Chapter 2

“Daughter,” the constant shake on her shoulder broke her sleep. With a protest Micaela peeled her lashes and straighten herself. Ouch!!! Her back hurt terribly for sleeping awkwardly for so long. She arched her chest up and with her hand massaged her shoulder to ease the stiffness and turned to face the person who was constantly tapping her arm and caused hindrance in her deep slumber.

“Daughter, can you please excuse me.” The old lady, probably in her early 50s asked her with a polite smile. “I need to use the washroom so badly.” She added bluntly.

Micaela chuckled and realizing that she was blocking her way to let her out, she shifted her legs twisting her waist and spoke, “oh, sure please.”

“Old age and diabetic leaves you with no other choice.” Saying she slides out through the narrow space and Micaela nodded in understanding. One by one all the passengers were also getting down from the bus. The elderly woman took her own time passing by her.

Elevating her chest with more oxygen Micaela looked through the window. The bus halted in front of a resort cum hotel. Passengers wanders around the place, some hunting food in the food court while some to loosen up their bolted tummy. She notices that the bus was eerily calm and darting her eyes she realized to be the only person in.

Seeing everyone roaming freely, she too felt like getting down and finish her morning duties. Even her stomach grumbled with hunger.

Then again, the thought of being tracked down by Albert’s men crossed her mind and huffing she slumped her back against the seat. Hardly a minute passed when her eyes fell on two girls probably her age busy gobbling burgers, their mouth stuffed with the food. This time her stomach growled and her mouth levelled with her own saliva.

There was a constant fight between her growling tummy and fearing mind. However, the bus had travelled a long distance and she was sure they won’t be reaching here overnight.

Finally, her hunger won the battle and she got down from the bus. It was late morning and the sun was almost peak above her head.

Although people have made a queue in front of the door of the washroom yet after fifteen minutes her number strikes and she did her morning duties. She decides to order some snacks and a black coffee from the corner shop which was serving the tourist with morning breakfast meal.

Many people have gathered around the place. Collecting her tray snacks, she grabbed the last corner table. Her eyes darted around the shop and landed on the same elderly woman sitting alone. While sipping her cup of coffee, the elderly woman eyes peered up and their eyes met . She excitedly gestured with her one hand to join her table. The cheerfulness in her gesture left Micaela with no other option but to accept her invitation. She rose and approached her table.

“What is your name dear?”

“I’m Micaela.” Micaela replied smiling after settling down on her chair.

“I’m Camila. You are very pretty Micaela. You remind me of my youthful days. I was beautiful like you. In fact,” Saying she halted for a second and sip her cup of coffee, her eyes twinkling with enjoyment, “ I had many charmers who would die to court me.” Micaela chuckled back on her seat and liked that she was very free and candid with her choice of words.

“You are still beautiful.” Watching the woman’s features Micaela accepted the fact. With caramel complexion, golden brown hair and bright sky-blue eyes the woman was indeed pretty. The declining age couldn’t leave much effect on her beauty. Her Prada dress and the way she conversate with lady like etiquette gives a clear idea of belonging to a rich class.

“Oh, come on.” Camila dismissed her bluntly with a heartfelt laugh. She was a jolly person.

“What is this daughter, you have so low appetite?” She uttered in a displeased motherly tone and forwarded the plate of pasta which she ordered for her own filling. “Here, dig in, honey.” Saying she watched her with soft expression.

Her heart constricted and Micaela held the edge of the tray with her fingers. No one did this for her. No one. Sure, there were maids in her husband’s estate who cooked food for her but nobody cared and showed sincere kindness. Her own husband refrains me from eating a lot because he thinks that it will only ruin her gorgeous figure. From three-time meals, he instructed the maids to serve her twice in a day.

Camila noticed the heartbroken and painful look on her face. So she places her one hand on top of Micaela’s hand. This gesture brought Micaela out of her trance of past bitter experience and she looked down where the lady rested her hand and blinked rapidly and schooled her facial expression.

“Daughter. Eat?”

“It’s okay, I can’t take it. You have brought this for yourself.” She refused politely shaking her head in denial. She felt comfortable around her.

“No, I will order another one. You carry on.” She spoke with motherly tone that it was nearly impossible to turn down.

Micaela took the first bite and her taste bud like the white sauce pasta. She continued talking in between sipping her cup of coffee. Form her conversation she learned that her name is Camila and she is from Vitoria. She has two son and the elder one and his wife died in a plane crash. Her younger son and her husband deals in hotels and resorts. It must be really tough for her to go through the pain of her elder son’s demise. She felt empathy for her loss. Being emotionally sensitive, she forgot her own sorrow and tension in that woman’s company.

Wiping her face with the tissue Micaela decide to buy her something as she had gobbled down her share of food. Not only that but she can uplift her mood. Money was limited but few bucks won’t make a hole in her pocket. Thinking that she excused herself and got up from her seat. Travelling the distance to the counter table and checking the menu and ordered sugar free muffins and banana chips. She paid the bill when her eyes vaguely looked up at the pathway and saw some guards with sunglass searching something. Her eyes widened when she recognises one of the men of her husband. No, all of them were her husband’s men. They were jogging around looking for her.

Shit!!! Shit!!!

Fear crawled down her bone and her throat dried instantly although she had her coffee few minutes back. Her heart in her throat and she quickly crouched down and hide herself. She waited for some time as she tried to figure out what to do next unbothered if any customer was witnessing her situation. Her eyes fell on the glass door to her opposite side. Above the frame “EXIT” written in bold letters. She craned her neck and peeped; they were moving towards the bus. She stood up and paddled towards that door. Immediately, the scorching heat attacked her face but it couldn’t reduce the inner strength to escape from their predatory eyes.

Now it’s up to her how she saves herself.

As she dashed through the pathway she looked back and saw one of the guards behind looking in the nearby cottage through the window, before he locates her, she darts her eyes feverishly around the place pondering what to do when she spotted a sleek black Range Rover parked few distance ahead.